Keegan is tops for Wardle

MANCHESTER City acting chairman John Wardle has stated his absolute faith in Kevin Keegan, saying that the Blues boss is in the same class as the Premiership's big two of Sir Alex Ferguson and Arsene Wenger.

MANCHESTER City acting chairman John Wardle has stated his absolute faith in Kevin Keegan, saying that the Blues boss is in the same class as the Premiership's big two of Sir Alex Ferguson and Arsene Wenger.

Wardle and Keegan face some tough decisions over the summer as they look to make the next step from being a mid-table Premiership side to top six contenders.

But Wardle is confident that Keegan has the astute judgement and business acumen necessary to turn City into a major Premiership force.

This season the Premiership new boys have been one of the biggest spenders in Europe and the policy has paid off with a place halfway up the table.

Burning ambitions

Both Keegan and Wardle are now keen to make sure the graft and groundwork does not go to waste and that City do not become a team mired in the top flight's comfort zone.

Each of them is intensely ambitious for the Blues and each believes that, having at times got close to a European place this season, a top-six berth is by no means out of the question in 12 months' time.

They know, however, that to be able to achieve that aim they will have to brandish the cheque book and wheel and deal again when the next transfer window opens in July.

Equally, they are aware that in terms of numbers of senior players and a spiralling wage bill, they cannot just keep adding to what they have at Carrington.

If high-class recruits are going to be brought in ahead of the move to the new stadium at Eastlands, and the club's all-conquering kids given an opportunity to breathe and grow, then some players are going to have to leave.

That will not be easy given that many of the likely candidates have given sterling service and are among the most popular on City's books. It is a problem that will be compounded by a stagnant, some would say dead, domestic transfer market.

Needs to create space in squad

Keegan is mindful that he needs to make funds and create space and has have already discussed a transfer strategy with Wardle.

The acting chairman is keen to stay away from an area which he sees as the sole domain of the manager but has already stated his implicit trust in Keegan's judgement and business acumen.

"Not only is Kevin Keegan right up there with the Arsene Wengers and Alex Fergusons in terms of Premiership managers but he is also a shrewd businessman who not only understands football on the field but off it as well," said Wardle.

"Lots of figures are being bandied around about transfer funds but as well as being a fantastic manager Kevin is also au fait with the world of business and finance and the last thing he wants to do is take this club down a road we cannot afford.

"I already meet with the manager on a weekly basis and that will continue. He knows what money is available and he will tell us what he wants and we will take it from there. We have a close working relationship and that will continue. I think we have one of the top coaching teams in the Premiership and I am sure we will go from strength to strength."